Three Incentives for Holiness
Leviticus 19:1-2
Matthew 5:17-19 & Matthew 5:48
1 Peter 1:13-21
1:13 preparing your minds for action. Literally: gird up the loins of your mind which points to the ancient practice of gathering up one’s robes when needing to move in a hurry. In order to live as we should, we too must prepare ourselves; specifically we need clarity of mind. We must think about how we live and not merely react. This is a time for cool heads and focused action (Ephesians 6:14; Colossians 3:2).
1:15 you also be holy. See Leviticus 19:1-2 and Leviticus 11:44-15. Israel was chosen, set apart, and called to be holy as God was holy and thus to live in a manner distinct from the ways of the nations. Christians glorify God best by reflecting His character (Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 5:1; Leviticus 11:44-15; Leviticus 18:30; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Leviticus 21:6–8).
1:17 conduct yourselves with fear. A reverent fear and sense of awe.
1:18 redeemed. To buy someone back from bondage; to set free by paying a ransom. “Redemption” was a technical term for money paid to buy back a prisoner of war. Here it is used of the price paid to buy our freedom from the bondage to sin and death. Redemption by the blood of a lamb recalls the annual Passover celebration, by which Jewish people commemorated their redemption from slavery in Egypt, through the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1–13; Exodus 15:13; Psalm 78:35; Acts 20:28; Romans 3:24; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:11-17).
1:20 foreordained. God planned the redemption of sinners through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; 2 Timothy 1:9).
1:21 gave Him glory. At the ascension God returned Christ to the glory that He had with Him before the world began (Luke 24:51–53; John 17:4-5; Acts 1:9–11; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 1:1–3; Hebrews 2:9).
Reflection Questions:
1. What does word “holy” or “holiness” means to you? Is it more about what you don’t do (Avoiding drinking, smoking, watching porn?) or is it more about what you do (Carrying out acts of mercy)?
2. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter urged his readers to live holy lives. What reasons does he give?
1 Peter 1:14-16:
1 Peter 17:
1 Peter 18-19:
(See also: Leviticus 11:44–45; Leviticus 18:30; Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 5:1).
3. How does Peter’s call to holiness in this passage challenge you to change how you live out your life at home, work, church or in your neighborhood?
4. What does it mean to “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” (v. 17)? What do you think it would be like for you to live your life as a stranger you at home, work, or in your neighborhood?
5. How can focusing on what Jesus has done for you (1 Peter 18-21) help you understand what it means to live a life marked by holiness?
